Gasoline lantern



y 964 w. H. HOENISCH 3,131,872

GASOLINE LANTERN Filed Dec. 19, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV EN TOR.

WALTEQ HAROLD HOE/W501 E y 1964 w. H. HOENISCH 3,131,872

GASOLINE LANTERN Filed Dec. 19, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 V INVEN TOR. WALTEQ meow Ham/50y y 1964 w. H. HOENISCH 3,131,872

GASOLINE LANTERN 7 Filed Dec. 19, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,5; INVENTOR. 4 WALTEE meow How/saw 1 i razavz'r.

I? I 7 Z? United States Patent 3,131,872 GASGLINE LANTERN Walter Harold Hoenisch, Aihert Lea, lVIinn., assignor to King-Seeley Thermos Co., a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec. 19, 196i), Ser. No. 76,610 1 Claim. (Cl. 240-11) This invention relates to gasoline lanterns, and more particularly to lanterns of the hydrocarbon burning mantle type.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved lantern constructon which may be sturdily yet inexpensively fabricated using uncomplicated techniques and parts, such as sheet metal components, and in which the construction is such that either a single mantle or a two mantle lantern may be fabricated with a minimum of change in configuration of the parts.

It is a further object to provide an improved gasoline lantern of this nature which facilitates mantle or globe replacement after a period of operation, minimizing the possibility that the ventilator cap and reflector, which must be removed for such replacement, might be too hot to handle.

It is also an object to provide an improved gasoline lantern having the above characteristics, which includes means for greatly reducing the noise of operation and improving the quality or whiteness of the light.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view in cross section of a preferred embodiment of the novel gasoline lantern, showing the various components;

FIGURE 2. is a fragmentary sectional view in elevation taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1 and showing the configuration of the air intake tube;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the bottom plate shown with its apertured portions arranged for the lantern of FIGURES 1 and 2, that is, a two-mantle lantern;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the manifold support plate showing the manner in which it is apertured for both *a single mantle and a double mantle lantern;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the manifold, showing its bail-receiving elements;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view in cross section of a single mantle lantern, taken in a plane similar to the section of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the bottom plate for the single mantle lantern taken along the line 7-7 of FIG- URE 6.

In general terms, the invention as illustrated comprises a gasoline or hydrocarbon burning mantle lantern including a foun or fuel reservoir in the base which is pressurized to supply a valve body mounted vtn'thin an annular collar supported by the fount shell. A bottom plate of circular shape rests on the collar, the valve body extending upwardly through the bottom plate and connecting with a generator assembly. A sub-assembly comprising a manifold support plate, manifold and ventilator reflector and cap are supported a substantial distance above the bottom plate by a pair of vertically extending support bars, these bars being surrounded by a globe. The air inlet tube connected to the generator outlet is connected at its upper end to the manifold support plate, leading to the manifold from which extend one or more burner tubes, the mantles being mounted on the lower ends of these tubes.

Among the novel features of the invention is the fact that the parts may, for the most part, be fabricated from sheet metal stampings, and the further fact that the lantern may be constructed as either a single mantle or a tw 3,131,872 Patented May 5, 1964 mantle lantern merely by making slight changes in the positions of the apertured portions of the bottom plate, manifold support plate and fount shell. Novel means are also provided for removably mounting the ventilator reflector and ventilator cap with respect to the manifold sup port plate, this mounting being accomplished in a manner such that the ventilator reflector and ventilator cap will not become heated during operation. It will thus be relatively easy to remove these parts when and if replacement or servicing of the mantle or globe is required.

As another novel feature, the burner tubes extending downwardly from the manifold support plate are constructed with a relatively narrow upper diameter and a relatively wide lower diameter, this construction resulting in a quieter operation and greater whiteness of light.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the twomantle version of the improved lantern is generally indicated at 11 in FIGURE 1 and has a fuel reservoir or fount generally indicated at 12 which includes a fount bottom 13 and a fount shell 14 thereabove. The fount bottom 13 and fount shell 14 are both of circular shape, being preferably fabricated from sheet metal stock, with bottom 13 having an annular downwardly projecting portion 15 on which the lantern may be supported. Shell 14 and bottom 13 are joined by interfitting and overlapping annular portions 16, the fount shell tapering upwardly and having a cover portion 17. A filler connection 18 is provided in the upper portion of fount shell 14, and a pump piston and cylinder assembly 19 is mounted within the fount in a conventional manner to create pressure there n when piston 21 thereof is reciprocated. A fuel withdrawal tube 22 extends upwardly from the lower portion of fount 12 to a bushing 23 mounted in an apertured portion 24 in upper portion 17 of the fount. As seen in FIGURE 1, apertured portion 24 is somewhat to the left of the vertical fount centerline, this position being appropriate for the two-mantle arrangement, although it will become obvious from the description below that the apertured portion may be located elsewhere in upper portion 17 of the fount shell when a single mantle lantern is to be fabricated.

Bushing 23 is connected to a valve body 2 5 above fount 12. Valve body 25 has a portion extending horizontally to the left in FIGURE 1, this portion supporting a handle 26 for a needle valve (not shown) within the valve body.

This leftwardly extending portion of the valve body extends through a slot 27 in a collar 28 of annular shape which rests on upper portion 17 of fount 12. Collar 28 is provided with a plurality of air inlet apertures 29 and may, like the part of fount 12, be fabricated of sheet metal.

A bottom plate 31 rests on the upper edge of collar 28. being secured to valve body 25 by an upwardly extending portion 32 on the valve body and a cap screw 33. The configuration of bottom plate 31 for the two-mantie gasoline lantern is best seen in FIGURE 3. The bottom plate has an outer annular channel 34 for the reception of an annular globe 35 which flares upwardly as seen in FIGURE 1, and an aperture 36 for accommodating cap screw 33. A central aperture 37 is provided for receiving the upwardly extending outlet 38 of valve body 25, the bottom plate eing provided with a raised portion 39 adjacent this aperture as seen in FIGURE 2. A generator assembly 41 is secured to the upper end of extension 38.

An air intake tube 42 has a lower end secured within another aperture 43 in bottom plate 31 adjacent aperture 37, as seen in FIGURE 3. Tube 42 is offset above generator assembly 41 as indicated at 44 in FIGURE 2 so as to be connected with the outlet of generator assembly. A narrowed portion 45 of tube 42 extends above its connection with generator assembly 41, the venturi effect :tom plate, as seen in FIGURE 3. adapted to receive the lower ends of a pair of support inducing air flow from the lower end of the intake tube which mixes with the atomized fuel flowing from the generator.

Bottom plate 31 is further provided with apertured ventilating portions 46 in channel 34, and a pair of rectangularly shaped apertures 47 immediately inwardly of channel 44 and on substantially opposite sides of the botbars 48, the support bars being bent underneath the bottom plate as seen in FIGURE 1 at 49 and secured thereto. The upper ends of support bars 48 are secured to a manifold support plate 51, the configuration of which is best seen in FIGURE 4. This plate is ofcircular shape and has a central aperture 52 Within which is secured the upper end 53 of air. intake tube 42. Either one or two 'apertured portions 54 and 55 respectively, are provided alongside aperture 52. For a two-mantle lantern,

both apertures 54 and 55 would be provided for the two burner tubes described below. For a single mantle lantern, only aperture 55 would be provided and it will be noted from the description below that aperture 55 will then serve to receive the upper end of the air intake tube whereas aperture 52 would serve to support the burner tube.

The outer edge of manifold support plate 51 has an upwardly extending flange 56, and immediately inwardly .of these flanges are a pair of slots 57 which receive the upper ends of bars 48, the bars being secured to flange 56. Four ventilating apertures 53 may likewise be provided at spaced portions of plate 51 as seen in FIGURE 4.

A manifold 59 is mounted on manifold support plate 51, the configuration of the manifold being shown in FIGURE 5. Like manifold support plate 51, and other already-described parts of the lantern, manifold 59 may be fabricated from a sheet metalstarnping. The manifold is generally cruciform shape, having a chamber 61 of elongated shape pressed upwardly in the central portion thereof. This dome-like chamber is of suflicient length to enclose all three apertured portions 52, 54 and 55 of manifold support plate 51, as seen in FIGURE 1.

Extensions 62 on the manifold are provided with upwardly formed channels 63 which are adapted to receive a bail to be later described, and tabs 64 aligned with and spaced inwardly from channel 63 are'provided for locating the a bail, as later described.

: A ventilator reflector 65 of annular shape is also pro- .vided, this reflector flaring downwardly and having a plurality of .circumferentially spaced upwardly extending connecting tabs 66 as seen in FIGURE 2. A ventilator cap 67 of circular shape is mounted on tabs 66 and secured thereto, this cap having a downwardly directed flange 68 spaced outwardly from tabs 66. Both members 65 and 67 may be fabricated from sheet metal stampings.

Means are provided for removably supporting the as- Apertures 47 are sembly' comprising ventilator reflector 65 and cap 67 on '73 in FIGURE 2, these slots being open in a downwardly facing direction so as to be capable of receiving pins 69. An isolated portion of reflector 65 and of a tab 66 are shown in FIGUREZ in order to illustrate the configuration of each slot 73. As seen in FIGURES l and 2, the internal diameter of reflector 65 is such that it will fit onto flange56 of plate 51, pins 69 entering slots 73. After slipping the reflector and cap on in this manner, a slight rotation will cause pins 69 to be held in position in slots i- 73, members and 67 being spaced from direct contact with manifold 59.

When so rotated, a pair of apertured portions 74 in the other two tabs 66 of reflector 65 will be aligned with a pair of similar oppositely disposed apertures 75 in flange 56 of plate 51 (see FIGURE 2). Apertures 74 and 75 will in turn be aligned with charmels 63' and abutments 64 of manifold extensions 62. The opposite ends 76 of a looped bail may thus be slipped through apertures 74 and 75 so as to engage abutments 64. Ball ends 76 thus serve to lock the reflector and cap in position.

Burner tubes 77 extend downwardly from apertures 54 and 55, their upper ends being secured within this apertures as indicated in FIGURE l. The lower ends 78 of the burner tubes are adapted to support mantles 79. A novel burner tube configuration is used, the upper portion 81 of the burner tube being of reduced diameter and comprising about one-third of the total burner tube length. This burner tube configuration shown has been found to produce a substantially quieter operation than similar lanterns without this construction. Moreover, similar lanterns having a uniform diameter burner tube have been tested together with lanterns having the burner tube construction shown, and the latter construction has. been found to produce a whiter light than its counterparts. Although the reasons for this quieter operation and whiter light are not entirely known, it would appear to have some relation to a pressure change created by the variation in burner tube diameter described above.

The operation of the lantern will be the same as pr viously known lanterns of this type and need not be described in detail. It should be noted, however, that when it is desired to remove the cap and reflector sub-assembly (members 65 and 67) in order to replace or service globe 35 or mantles 79, this may be easily done since parts 65 and 67 will not become unduly heated in view of the fact 76 and the outer reflector edge will remain cool enough to grasp. g

FIGURES 6 and 7, together with other figures such as FIGURE 4, illustrate the nature of the variations in part configuration which would be required to manufacture a single mantle lantern instead of the two mantle version shownin FIGURE 1. FIGURE 6 shows a sub-assembly, generally indicated at 101, of a single mantle lantern showing a bottom plate 102, a manifold support plate 163, a manifold 104, support bars 165, and an air inlet tube 166. Bottom plate 102 is shown in FIGURE 7, which may be compared with FIGURE 3 showing bottom plate 31 for the two-mantle lantern. Aperture 167 of plate 102 is offset from the center of the circular'plate, this aperture receiving the upward extension 38 :of valve body 25. The V lower end of air inlet tube 166 may be connected to an aperture 10% adjacent aperture 167, and a central aperture 169 in plate 162 is adapted to receive screw 33 of post 32. The other portions of bottom plate 162 will be similar to those of bottom plate 31.

Manifold support plate 10-3 will be constructed in the same manner as manifold support plate 51 of FIGURE 4,

with the exception that aperture 54 will be omitted. The upper end of tube 166- will'thus be connected to aperture 111, whereas the upper end of burner tube. 112 is connected to central aperture 113 of plate 103. With this arrangement, the single mantle 114 will be centered with respect to the lantern. It will also be noted that aperture 24 shown in FIGURE 1 in the upper portion 17 of fount 12 will have to be relocated so as to be aligned with aperture 10-9. With the exception of these changes, however, the other parts of the lantern maybe fabricated on a mass production basis for use in both single and two-mantle lanterns.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claim.

What is claimed is:

In a gasoiine lantern of the type having a fount for containing fuel, a fuel outlet, valve body and generator assembly extending upwardly from said fount, and an air inlet tube connected to said generator assembly, the provement comprising at least one vertically extending support, means holding the lower end of said support above said fount, a manifold support plate mounted at the upper end of said support, a manifold of inverted cupshape, the outer portion of said manifold being mounted on the upper surface of said manifold support plate and forming a manifold chamber therewith, an apertured portion in said manifold support plate, the upper end of said air inlet tube being connected to said chamber through said apertured portion, a circular renector having an annular outer portion with an inner vertical section and a central cap, a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins secured to the outer portion of said manifold support plate and extending outwardly therefrom, a plurality of downwardly open slotted portions in the inner vertical section of the annular portion of said reflector, said slotted portions being mounted on said outwardly extending pins whereby the reflector will be supported with its annular portion spaced outwmdly from said manifold and said central cap spaced above said manifold, a bail having ends which are aligned and extend toward each other, apertured portions in the inner vertical section of the annular portion of said reflector receiving said bail ends, and means forming part of said manifold inwardly of said apertures portions pivotally retaining said bail ends whereby said reflector will be locked in place by said bail ends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,303,462 Coleman May 13, 1919 2,008,882 Tnilis July 23, 1935 2,135,689 Yaeger Nov. 8, 1938 2,263,659 Tullis Nov. 25, 1941 

